Sensitive material...don't read on if you're not up to reading about a real *** and sicko!
Subject: [USAP] Three charged in scheme to kill shelter animals in
Visalia, CA
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The Associated Press
Article Launched: 07/02/2007 02:13:24 PM PDT
VISALIA, Calif.—A former animal control supervisor was charged with
participating in a scheme to kill animals held at a shelter and
profit from selling their carcasses, court records show.
William Harmon, 43, a former manager of the Tulare County animal
shelter in Visalia, was charged with 10 felony counts, including
seeking or accepting bribes, embezzlement, falsifying public records
and animal cruelty, said prosecutor Doug Rodgers.
Harmon subjected animals to "mass executions on Saturdays," as well
as torture, starvation and cruel euthanization practices, and
threatened his staff to prevent them from reporting the abuse, court
documents show.
Harmon's attorney did not immediately return a call seeking comment
Monday.
Michael Sargeant, 46, who owns a Bakersfield business that prepares
animal carcasses for resale, bribed Harmon to sell him bodies outside
the scope of his contract with the county, authorities said.
Sargeant was charged with two counts of bribery, and a former shelter
employee was charged with one count of animal cruelty, Rodgers said.
Sargeant's attorney said he would enter a not guilty plea when his
client is arraigned.
All three men were arrested June 15 and released on bond the
following day. They were scheduled to appear in Tulare County
Superior Court for a bond hearing on July 11.
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